Addiction (more correctly called substance or process abuse) can be very painful and confusing for those caught in its’ grip and for those who love the one caught in its’ grip. Support groups can be very effective for personal inspiration, camaraderie in the journey, and accountability as a person works toward freedom and sobriety. Family and friends of the one struggling with addiction need wisdom and insight as they seek to truly help that person become sober and healthy. It is most often a process of family and friends themselves becoming more healthy as well if they truly want to help. Change is not a straightforward pathway, but rather, one that can be filled with challenges, bumps, bruises, and personal growth. Freedom from addiction or substance/process abuse is hard work, but it is possible!
Traumatic experiences where one experiences an event that poses a threat to their life or well being or the life or well being of one that they love are painful and overwhelming. It can be life changing, but it does not have to be so in an ongoing and negative way. While trauma’s impact causes disconnection, anxiety, fear, and heightened awareness of danger and threat, it can also add depth, substance, resilience, greater self awareness for the one who uses the pain and loss to regain stability, reprocess bravely, and move forward with courage. Trauma therapy is intended to help the person move through stabilization, reprocessing, and healing.
Anxiety is very treatable. While we will never be free from all anxiety sources, we can learn to manage them successfully so that they don’t take over her body and herlife there are physical things that we can do. There are cognitive things that we can do, and there are other practical things that we can do to stay in charge of anxiety. Each person is unique. The level and types of anxieties differs from person to person and the things that help most is different for each person. One of the goals of therapy is discovering what works best for the individual and learning how to use those effects effectively to stay in charge of anxiety instead of letting it stay in charge of you!
Couples counselling can be done in differing ways. Couples that come for counselling have usually found themselves locked in patterns that are not promoting a sense of communication, understanding, connection, or harmony. The therapist enters in to hear what is happening for each person as well as to observe the relationship dynamics that are going on. Sometimes this allows a person to be heard while their partner also has opportunity to hear and understand things they may not heard from their partner before. Through gentle nudges and observations, the couple has an opportunity to change some of the counteractive ways that they interact, allowing for deeper understanding, fair confrontation, respectful communication, and expressions of quality care and love.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a therapy method that is well supported in research as effective for helping those who are struggling with their mental health. In CBT, a person is challenged to change their thinking and/or behaviour in small steps. From this basis, feelings can begin to change and new perspectives can be gained. During therapy, the person considers their view of the world, others, and the self and have opportunity to re-frame experiences and use them as a springboard to greater freedom, courage, and healing.
Whether dealing with stress or some kind of mental health issue, the value of lifestyle cannot be underestimated. The first step in any healing process needs to include a very careful look at lifestyle. Practical things like sleeping the right amount, eating, exercise, and selecting what you think and what attracts your attention can move one significantly in the direction of better health - mental, emotional, and physical. As you evaluate your lifestyle, it can be very helpful to have someone to talk through what you are currently doing and to set small goals towards big gains. This alone can be so helpful.